The Update from WCG Philippines is an official e-mail weekly newsletter from the Worldwide Church of God in the Philippines. To subscribe, unsubscribe, give comments or suggestions, write to Len.Joson@wcg.org.    

June 27, 2003

WCG Pampanga Engages its Community, 48 Graduates

San Fernando City, Pampanga -Twenty one students of the Electronics Technician Course and 27 students of the Basic Computer Course graduated in a simple ceremony held last June 20 in Barangay Malpitic this city.

The graduates were the first batch of students to have completed the two courses offered initially. The Skills Training Program is a part of WCG Pampanga's outreach program. It aims to make the local church relevant in the community where it is located. It was made possible through the cooperative efforts of the local church, the United Pampanga Leaders Council-USA, who provided the computers and the officials of Barangay Malpitic who provided the venue for the Electronics Course. The training program was developed in coordination with TESDA officials and as such is recognized by it. Certificates of Completion will be issued by TESDA later on aside from the Certificates already issued by the church. The occasion was graced by Ptr. Eugene Guzon and Mr. Teofisto Gutierrez, Jr., an officer of the Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) - Pampanga. 

Servant leader Romy Fernandez, who is also the class instructor, hosted the ceremonies. The students were not only equipped with technical knowledge and skills but were also fed with the Word of God. Some of the students have since started attending our worship services. --Miles Umlas

WCG Initao OBS Engages its Community, 24 Children Complete 1-year CBT

A combined Recognition Program for the Saturday & Sunday schoolers from the barangays Aluna, Gimangpang, San Pedro, and Poblacion Initao was conducted last June 1,2003, 2:00 p.m. at the residence of  Mr. and Mrs. Roldan and Vennie Tacbobo in Poblacion Initao, Misamis Oriental. It was an  outreach program of the WCG Initao Outreach Bible Study (OBS) area with Ms. Vennie Tacbobo and Phoebe Almeda as teachers. There were 24 children who were recognized after completing the Chronological Bible Teaching (CBT) for more than a year.  Their parents and relatives mostly non-members came to witness the occasion. Ptr. Jerome Manriquez gave the inspirational talk.  --Roldan Tacbobo

WCG Zamboanga Engages its Community, Learning Center Under Construction

The construction work at the Little Friends Learning Center is in full swing, measuring about 60 square meters in floor area. We now own a 500 square meters lot along the main road of Labuan. The construction work is being undertaken by brethren who offered to work at a very minimal daily wage just to help put up a day-care center for the children. Again, thanks to the help of IRIS Ministries, brethren from Florida, USA. They are also the ones responsible for a 6-month feeding program (running from Feb to August 2003) there at Labuan. 

Soon people will see the logo of the Worldwide Church of God along the main road of Labuan, announcing the opening of the Little Friends Learning Center, operated and maintained by the Worldwide Church of God, IRIS Ministries and other anonymous benefactors who would like to remain just simply incognito. God is touching lives in this community. Part of our vision is to have a full-pledged Christian school truly reflecting the love of Jesus for all men irrespective of race, creed or color. --Nilo Belarmino

WCG Baguio Celebrates 29th Year Anniversary, Former Members Invited, 2 Baptisms

The WCG Baguio City celebrated its 29th anniversary last June 7, coinciding with the celebration of Pentecost. Former members were invited raising the attendance to 127. Mr. Jerry Ortiguero, Area Superintendent for Northern Luzon, gave the main message followed by a sumptuous meal. After the fellowshipping, a wonderful afternoon of family activities was participated in by YES children, singles, adults, seniors and SEP youths who showed their talents and rendered an impromptu skit. Before the anniversary celebration, Mrs. Elenita Faminialagao and Mrs. Donna Marie Yap were baptized in Klondykes Hot Spring. --A.M. Faminialagao

70 Attends First Northern Luzon Pastoral Meeting

The first Northern Luzon Pastoral Meeting for the year was held at the Oring-ao Conference Hall at Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City last June 21-22. Seventy participants from different pastoral teams of Northern Luzon came to attend the two-day meeting. Area Superintendent Jerry Ortiguero gave the welcome address after which, each pastoral team chairman gave a report on their respective areas.

On the second day, Pastor Jerry discussed the WCG Philippines' denominational role and the criteria for determining the different levels or category of a local church. On this same occasion, the pastoral teams of Urdaneta and Mankayan churches were officially set up. 

A great portion of the time was spent on the Festival 2003 plans and preparations. Emphasis was made to encourage the brethren to attend the festival. The remaining hours of the meeting was a “Question-and-Answer” portion that allowed participants to clarify various issues. --Loma Yap

Church Retreat & Leadership Seminar in Tagbilaran

ABC Ministries had a first-ever Church Retreat, June 21 and 22, at our meeting hall located at 110 Graham Avenue, Tagbilaran City. The retreat was orchestrated by Area Superintendent George Escara as part of his vision of nurturing and equipping the Visayan churches, specially the leadership, under his care.

Addressed during the retreat were 4 subject categories, namely, 1) Relationship with God and Fellowmen (Vibrancy), 2) Discipling and Equipping (Viability), 3) Ministry Involvement (Viability) and 4) Evangelism and Missions (Visibility). A total of 8 main messages were given, 4 of which were handled by the AreaSuperintendent himself, while the other 4 were shared by Ptr. Romy Pusta and Asst. Ptr. Terence Naranjo. Attendance was 22 on the 1st day and 28 on the 2nd day - mostly adults and a few teens. The retreat was aptly capped by a Communion Service on the final hour of the 2nd day.

Two days before the retreat, 13 Leadership Team members of Tagbilaran had the opportunity of participating in a Leadership Development Seminar conducted by Ptr. George Escara title "Training the Trainors." This is the first book of Dr. John C. Maxwell's "Million Leaders Mandate." "It was like hitting 2 birds with 1 stone," quipped Ptr. George reflecting on the 2 events that God allowed the Tagbilaran brethren to experience. --Romy Pusta

First Worship Service Held at New Digos City Church Building

Digos City, Davao del Sur. The Digos City Church used for the first time its newly-built though still incomplete church building June 21, 2003 for its first worship service. With more than 20 people in attendance, Catalino Garcia, a member of the Davao Pastoral Team, assisted by Rosauro de Guia, in-charge of the Digos City Church, and Gaspar Ruferos, of the Kidapawan City Church, dedicated the building to God.

The building is located on a 200 square meters lot along Bataan Street donated by church members Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Omero. The building has been constructed through the donations of the Digos City Church members with the support of the Davao City Church and other Davao church members living and  working abroad. Mr. Garcia delivered a sermon on God's graciousness while Mr. Ruferos delivered a sermonette based on Revelation 2:4-5. Brethren of the Digos City Church prepared a sumptuous meal for the occasion. --Catalino Garcia

Engaging the Community

"The church Jesus founded was dynamic, not static. They had no status, no grand institutions or facilities other than their homes. They expected Jesus to return, and viewed themselves as sojourners. They lived normal lives and did not stand out from the culture around them—except that inwardly the Holy Spirit of God was radically transforming them.

"The church was fully engaged with its community. Unlike our WCG history, where we awaited Christ’s return in as much exclusion as possible, Jesus plunged the first Christians into the world." --Excerpt from Randal Dick's article, Gossiping the Gospel

"Our local congregations should not be inward looking but engaging their surrounding community -- not just networking with other churches." --Randal Dick, during a meeting with Area Superintendents and Metro Manila pastors last December 12, 2001. 

Festival Information

Baguio City: October 19-26, 2003 at Teacher's Camp, Baguio City. Festival Coordinator, Jerry Ortiguero. Phone Nos., (074) 444-86-24 or 0920-903-8377.

Bicol Region: Oct. 16-19, 2003 at Tanchuling Beach Resort, Bacacay, Albay. Festival Coordinator, Dr. Jose Manzano. Phone, 0917-205-0018. Or call Ruth Concepcion at 0919-826-3018.

Cagayan de Oro City: Oct. 23-26, 2003 at Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City. Registration Fee, P200. Festival Coordinator, Jerome Manriquez. Phone No. 0917-706-2771.

Cebu City: Oct. 22-26, 2003 at the Cebu Normal University Auditorium, Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City. Festival Coordinator, Tiburcio Rota. Phone: (032) 322-5665 or (032) 322-5803.

Bacolod: Oct. 23-26, 2003 at the Mambukal Mountain Resort, Bgy. Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental. Festival Coordinator, George Escara. Phone Nos. (034) 433-5917 or 0918-573-9196.

Palawan: October 19-26, 2003 at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Festival Coordinator, Marvel Rosario. Phone Nos. (048) 434-3235 or 0920-611-6265.    

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you." (2 Thessalonians 3:1)